Today I’m excited to interview debut author Nicole Weaver, who is Haitian, speaks several languages, and writes tri-lingual books. In addition Nicole works as an educator in French and Spanish. Click here for a–what else?–bilingual review of her debut picture book Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle, here on MR. And since this is the first day of your week, I thought I’d spice it up with an interview in two languages. You know. In case you missed of those French classes. 😀

You are fluent in four languages: French, English, Spanish and Creole. Did you grow up being polyglot? Please, tell us a little bit about your childhood: What is your fondest memory about Haiti? 🙂
I was born in Port-au-Prince. In Haiti I learned Creole and French. At the age of 10 years old I went to New York, where I learned English. Then during my senior year of high school I studied Spanish, and four additional years at the College of New Rochelle.

Unfortunately, my childhood days in Haiti were terrible. I lived with my father and he wasn’t very nice; however my fondest memory of Haiti is the beach. I lived nearby. I loved the beach so much that I would visit it often. The story of Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle is a true story about my childhood in Haiti.

Have you used Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle in the classroom? If yes, what was the kids’ response?
I used the book in my level two French class to teach how to use the imperfect tense tells a story. Since I am also a Spanish teacher, I read the book in Spanish to my students. The students were very happy and proud of me.

You’re giving a portion of Marie and her Friend the Sea Turtle‘s proceeds to help the victims of the earthquake that shook Haiti last year. Did you have an opportunity to visit the island ever since? Could you tell us a bit more about that project?
No, I can’t return to Haiti right now. My brother returned to Haiti twice. I will try my best to go next year with the Lambi Fund, but right now my daughter is a junior in college and my son a sophomore in high school. Lambi Fund is a very good organization that is helping the Haitian people a lot. Karen Ashmore, director is an incredible woman. She adopted three Haitian children. I have a lot of confidence in her. This is why I give a portion of the proceeds of Marie and her friend the Sea Turtle. I wrote several articles about the Lambi Fund and Karen. Read the article here.

What are you favorite bilingual books?
I have several books that I like a lot. I love Haitian author, Alexandre Dumas. I also like the French/English version of Alfie’s Angels by Henriette Barkow and Handa’s Hen by Eileen Browne.

Any particular message you would like to share in honor of Black History Month?
Liberty is so precious; I am very appreciative of Martin Luther King for giving his life so we can have a chance to better ourselves. In my opinion the best way to better oneself is to go to school and to get an education.

Nicole, thank you from the bottom for this interview and for your time. Your writing experience is really unique, and I wish you much success in your career.
Thanks Nathalie; I am very lucky that I met you.

Hi everyone, thank you a bunch for reading and commenting. Hope it wasn’t too straining to have two languages displayed. Nicole, dear, thank you so much for playing along, and for answering theses questions in English and in French. You rock!